Although the University values personal freedom, celebration, and recreation, the policies and regulations that apply to student conduct at Vanderbilt are also informed by principles that value the health, safety, and well-being of students and other members of the University community, as well as their academic and personal success. The University’s goal in establishing policies and holding students accountable for complying with them is to help students understand how their choices can affect not only their immediate neighbors, but also the University community as a whole.

When students fail to meet University standards, they ultimately risk separation from the University community. Vanderbilt’s system of graduated sanctions and structured accountability action plans is designed to effect students’ voluntary compliance with the policies and regulations established to protect themselves, other students, and the community. Vanderbilt hopes that educational conferences, deferred probations, and probationary periods with accountability action plans will be sufficient to help students make better choices so that separation from the community never becomes necessary.

Violation of University Policy

Students and student organizations are expected to comply with all University policies, which are derived from tradition and evolve with contemporary practice. Ignorance of a policy is not a valid excuse for violating it. Grounds for corrective action cannot always be the subject of precise statement; however, when commonly held standards of conduct are broken, students must be held accountable if the University community is to be sustained.

Students are subject to corrective action when, individually or as members of a group, they violate University policy, rules, or regulations, including but not limited to the following:

Obstruction or disruption of teaching, administration, and University procedures and activities, or other authorized activities on University premises. including programs, events, meetings, or speakers hosted by student organizations, departments, offices, or other entities;

Physical abuse of any person, including assault and other unwanted physical contact;

Forgery, alteration, or misuse of University or other documents, records, or identification, impersonating a University official or any other person;

Furnishing false information to the University:

Possession or use of any false identification or identification belonging to another person;

The unlawful possession, use, distribution or facilitation of the distribution of alcohol, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia (including possession or use of prescription medication belonging to another person and distribution or sharing of prescription medication; see also “Alcohol and Controlled Substances” in Chapter 6 for a more detailed statement of alcohol and drug policies.);

The operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs;

Retaliating against persons who have provided information as witnesses in any University investigation or proceeding.

Organizations or individual hosts are responsible for the conduct of their members and/or guests, and students are responsible for what occurs in their rooms or residences, both financially and in terms of misconduct by guests. These responsibilities include compliance with federal, state, and local law and University policies. Those who fail to meet these responsibilities will be subject to corrective action through the University’s accountability process, and/or referral for prosecution by government authorities.

Violations of regulations of residences, libraries, resource centers, Traffic and Parking, Mail Services, and other areas of University life may also result in corrective action through the University’s accountability process. For further policies pertaining to campus residences, see Chapter 4, “Residential Life”.

Schools, departments, programs, and individual faculty members, speakers, and artists may have policies governing the creation, use, and/or distribution of recordings—video or audio—of lectures, speeches, performances, and other activities. Individuals must obtain authorization prior to recording such activities, and to abide by the various policies governing their being recorded. Failure to abide by recording policies may result in corrective action through the University’s accountability process. In addition, examinations and the questions therein, lectures, teaching notes, scholarly writings, course handouts, assignments, and other course materials are the property of the individual faculty member. Copying or distributing any such materials without the authorization of the copyright owner may constitute a copyright infringement violation.

The Dean of Students or the Dean’s designee may initiate corrective action, institute restrictions on, or withdraw registration from organizations that violate University policy and regulations, and may also impose restrictions or require conditions be met by organizations that are found to be in violation of policy.

Students and student organizations are expected to observe the standards and policies of the University both on and off campus. An organization may be subject to corrective action including the loss of its registration, or, individuals may also be subject to corrective action for incidents that occur off campus.

Threat, Harassment, Intimidation, Etc.: Stay Away Orders

Updated 08/08/2017

Vanderbilt University expects students to refrain from conduct that threatens, intimidates, harasses, or otherwise unreasonably impairs the security or privacy of another member of the University community by any means, including through the use of electronic communications, social media, computers, or data networks, or by recording unauthorized video or photographic images in a location in which the other community member has a reasonable expectation of privacy, or by publishing such images . Such conduct is a violation of University policy and may result in corrective action through the University’s accountability process.

A student who feels that he/she/they is the target of such threat, harassment, intimidation, etc., may request from the Director of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity, or the Director’s designee, stay away order to the identified student to cease further communication and/or desist from the conduct in question. When a request is filed, the Director or the Director’s designee will determine whether the alleged conduct warrants the issuance of a stay away order prohibiting the continuation of the conduct, and when it does, will issue stay away orders to the involved students. The Director or the Director’s designee may also employ or continue such orders and impose other appropriate restrictions on his/her/their own initiative, as appropriate. Any charges brought at the time the stay away order is requested will be resolved in the same manner as any other violation of policy. Stay away orders often require that the involved students have no contact with each other during the course of the accountability proceedings and/or thereafter, even when there is no finding of a policy violation.

Violation of a stay away order by the student who is subject to the order will result in the filing of a charge against that student. This charge will be addressed according to the usual accountability procedures. The accountability meeting will be conducted by the authority that issued the order. If the accountability proceedings result in a finding that the student is responsible for violating the order, corrective action will be taken.

The determination of whether a stay away order should be issued, and any stay away order that may be issued, will not be considered an accountability proceeding for purposes of the student's record unless separate charges are brought and addressed in an accountability meeting. A subsequent accountability meeting to address whether the student has violated the terms of an order will constitute an accountability proceeding in the ordinary sense of that term and will become a part of the student's record to the same extent that any other accountability proceeding would become part of the record.

Harassment of any individual based on sex (see Chapter 7, “Sexual Misconduct and Intimate Partner Violence”), race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or genetic information is unacceptable and may be grounds for corrective action, and may also constitute a violation of law. Equally unacceptable within the University is the harassment of any individual on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, or harassment because of one’s perception of another’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disability Services department (EAD) handles complaints of harassment on these grounds. For more information about EAD investigations, see “Equal Opportunity” in Chapter 1, University Policies and Regulations.

Other campus offices such as Housing and Residential Education, the Project Safe Center, the Center for Student Wellbeing, the LGBTQI Life office, the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, Inclusion Initiatives and Cultural Competence, The Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life, and the Psychological and Counseling Center are available to provide counseling and support to students who believe they have been subjected to harassment.

Fireworks, Firearms, Other Weapons, and Explosives

The use or possession of fireworks, firearms, other weapons, explosives, or any type of ammunition on University premises is prohibited, with the exception that Vanderbilt University complies with Tennessee Code TCA 39-17-1313. In accordance with TCA 39-17-1313, the holder of a valid handgun carry permit recognized in Tennessee may transport and store a firearm or firearm ammunition in the permit holder’s motor vehicle if:

The permit holder’s vehicle is parked in a location where it is permitted to be; and

The firearm or ammunition being transported or stored in the vehicle:

Is kept from ordinary observation if the permit holder is in the vehicle; or

Is kept from ordinary observation and locked within the trunk, glove box, or interior of the person’s motor vehicle or a container securely affixed to the vehicle if the permit holder is not in the vehicle.

Student use or possession of these materials is prohibited off campus, as well, when such use or possession is illegal or may endanger the health or safety of members of the University community, or the community at large.

Sports weapons must be kept in the custody of the Vanderbilt University Police Department, which is open twenty-four hours a day. It is a felony in the state of Tennessee to carry a weapon on a campus for the purpose of going armed. Air rifles and “BB” guns are considered to be firearms, the use and possession of which are prohibited on campus. The use and possession of realistic-looking or imitation firearms, which may include water guns, paintball guns, etc., is also prohibited.

The use or possession of stun guns, flying Tasers, cattle prods, liquid stun guns, or other devices designed to disrupt the human neurological system for the purpose of incapacitation is prohibited. The use or possession of any other device, object, or substance (or imitations and facsimiles thereof), designed to cause injury, or the use of any object capable of being a weapon as a weapon is also prohibited.

Damage to Property

Damage, vandalism, littering, or theft of University property or property of a University community member or campus visitor by a student or student groups may result in corrective action through the University’s accountability process as well as the responsible student(s’) being held financially responsible for the cost of repair or replacement.

For example, a student may leave a window open during sub-freezing weather causing burst pipes and the flooding of student rooms and common areas. Or, a student may cause a fire triggering the building’s sprinkler system causing both water and smoke damage to student rooms and common areas. In these cases, the students committing the acts may be held responsible not only for accountability purposes, but also for the financial losses suffered by other students and the University resulting from these events. Students may be held financially responsible for damages or losses resulting from accidents or negligence. Students who suffer losses under such circumstances must take their claims to their own homeowners or renters insurance carriers. These companies may subrogate the claims to the carrier of the responsible student’s insurance.

(Note: Among the most common occurrences is water damage caused by the triggering of interior sprinklers as a result of horseplay, or hanging objects from sprinkler heads.)

Hazing

State law requires each college and university in Tennessee to adopt a policy prohibiting hazing. Hazing is defined in the law as “any intentional or reckless act in Tennessee on or off the property of any [college or university] by one (1) student acting alone or with others which is directed against any other student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, or which induces or coerces a student to endanger the student's mental or physical health or safety. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization.”

While including the statutory limitations of hazing above (i.e., student acts directed at students on or off campus), the University expands its definition of hazing to include any act that may produce, or is intended to produce, mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule, or any acts that are humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning, or that endanger the health and safety of another person. Such acts include—but are not limited to—paddling in any form, inducement of excessive fatigue, required exercise inconsistent with the mission of the organization, or physical or psychological shocks; personal servitude; implementing or participation in treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, or road trips that are not pre-approved by the appropriate University office; publicly wearing apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; forced or coerced consumption, drinking games, or, other organized activities, late work sessions, and other obligations which interfere with scholastic purposes of the organization; and any other activity inconsistent with the purposes of the organization’s constitution, by-laws, standing rules and policies, or University policy. Students are subject to federal, state and local laws, and policies and regulations of the University.

Conduct at Athletic Events

The University prohibits the throwing of objects from the stands and abusive language or gestures at athletic events. Student spectators who throw objects at athletic events will be ejected from the contest and may be subject to corrective action through the University’s accountability process. Other spectators will be treated similarly by local authorities. The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at athletic events, as is the use of tobacco, electronic smoking devices, and other nicotine delivery systems.

Fan Access Policy

The Southeastern Conference Fan Access Policy states: “In all sports, access to the competition area shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly-credentialed individuals, at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area.” Students violating this policy–including by rushing a court, field, or other competition area–are subject to corrective action through the University’s accountability process, and may be required to pay a fine. In addition, individuals who improperly enter the competition area may be expelled from the facility, arrested for trespassing, or lose future ticket privileges.

Signs, Banners, and Artificial Noisemakers

Students may paint themselves, using the common names for Vanderbilt teams (e.g., Dores, Vandy, VU). Students and/or registered student organizations may submit banners to be displayed at the game to the appropriate Student Athletics official, prior to the game. Banners with obscene, offensive, or derogatory messages—as determined by Student Athletics personnel–will not be displayed. Efforts will be made to display all banners submitted and approved. Students are permitted to bring hand-held signs to athletic events provided that the signs meet the following guidelines:

The signs must be no larger than one piece of standard-size poster board (22″ x 28″);

Signs may not display abusive, offensive, or obscene words or drawings—as determined by Student Athletics personnel; and

Names of commercial products other than the official broadcast networks of the contest may not be mentioned on the sign.

Dry erase boards and the like are prohibited. Signs must be completed and approved prior to the event, and may not be changed once approved.

Event staff has the discretionary authority to determine whether a sign meets the guidelines. Signs that do not meet these guidelines may be confiscated at any time during the event. Students in possession of a sign that does not meet the guidelines may be ejected from the contest if they refuse to comply with the policy stated above.

Artificial noisemakers (cowbells, vuvuzelas, inflatable balloon-stick clappers, etc.), are prohibited at any athletic event, with the exception of musical and percussive instruments used by official team bands in accordance with South Eastern Conference regulations.

Conduct in the Libraries

Vanderbilt's libraries seek to create a welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment for its users. The library is a place for learning and reflection, and the library staff supports these efforts by providing helpful, responsive, and knowledgeable service. Mutual courtesy and respect among users and staff are essential to the University’s educational mission, and the role the library serves in fulfilling it. Among the library’s most important goals is to create a setting where its users feel free to pursue research and study without compromising their privacy or safety. The various libraries comprising the Vanderbilt library system provide a variety of spaces for quiet study. Collaborative study spaces enable conversation and interaction among students. Library users are asked to be courteous to others, and to be aware of the potential impact of their conversations and use of electronic devices in open areas. All conduct should contribute to the research and scholarship of the Vanderbilt community.

More information about Library policies may be found on the Library website.

Conduct in Study-Abroad Programs

Students who participate in Vanderbilt University study-abroad programs are representatives of Vanderbilt, and their respective countries, for the duration of the specific programs in which they are enrolled, and for any period immediately before or after that, should they extend their respective visits abroad. Participants are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and respectfully, and to abide by the policies and regulations set forth by the University, the Global Education Office (GEO), their respective program directors, on-site program staff, study-abroad program providers, the host foreign institutions (in the case of exchange and direct-enroll programs) and facilities in which they reside. Students are also expected to abide by the laws and customs of the countries in which they are studying or traveling. In addition, provisions of the Student International Travel policy apply to students studying abroad.

Given the nature and function of study-abroad programs, student-participant adherence to policies, procedures, and directives is crucial. The paragraphs, below, set out the accountability process for resolving alleged violations of program and University policies, procedures, and guidelines by Vanderbilt study-abroad participants.

Should there be an allegation of a violation of policy, resident directors or faculty leaders of Vanderbilt-administered study-abroad programs may conduct investigations and hold accountability meetings for conduct matters that occur abroad. Resident directors and faculty leaders may consult with GEO and the Dean of Students (or the Dean’s designee) throughout the process. At the discretion of the Dean of Students (or designee) and in consultation with the resident director or faculty leader, the Dean of Students (or designee) may assume jurisdiction for, and render a decision on, any cases involving students abroad. Cases involving sexual misconduct or intimate partner violence, including domestic violence, and dating violence during study-abroad programs must be addressed according to the policies and procedures outlined in Chapter 7, “Sexual Misconduct and Intimate Partner Violence.”

The resident director or faculty leader will interview or receive statements from all witnesses, and will present the identified student with the allegations, which are to include the specific regulation or policy allegedly violated. At the accountability meeting, the student presented with allegations may testify personally and present witnesses on his/her/their behalf. The student may examine all information that may form the basis for corrective action.

The student may present testimony and make arguments not only with regard to the offense, but also with regard to justification or mitigating circumstances. The student may also speak to the question of the appropriateness of any particular corrective action or sanction that he/she/they may incur. The decisions of the Vanderbilt resident director or faculty leader will be based on information presented and statements taken and will be made using a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard.

If the student is found responsible for a violation of applicable policies or regulations, the finding will specify the violating behavior and the policy or regulation violated, and the corrective action to be taken. The decision will be delivered to the student promptly, and take effect immediately. Due to the logistical challenges presented by conducting investigations at some distance from campus, findings made by resident directors or faculty leaders in accountability proceedings conducted for students in study-abroad programs are final.

The office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity holds concurrent jurisdiction and may take further action upon the student’s return to the University. For non-Vanderbilt students, the student’s home institution may also be notified of any policy violations and corrective actions taken by Vanderbilt resident directors or faculty leaders.

Students enrolled in study abroad programs not directly administered by Vanderbilt (i.e. direct enroll or exchange programs, or programs operated in conjunction with third-party providers) are subject to accountability proceedings as outlined by the relevant program or institution. Generally speaking, these institutions will inform and work with the Global Education Office and the GEO will in turn inform and work with the Vanderbilt office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity to investigate and respond to alleged violations of policies or regulations.

Use of University Computers and Data Networks

Students, faculty, and staff are expected to comply with The Computing Privileges and Responsibilities Acceptable Use Policy. Among other things, this policy prohibits violation of copyright laws, including illegal file sharing, the transportation of obscene materials across state lines, and unauthorized access to private information, whether obtained through direct “hacking” or by “social engineering” methods. In addition to sanctions through University accountability proceedings, computing and data network privileges may be revoked in appropriate circumstances.

Use of the University Telephone System

Students should identify themselves to the persons called on the telephone and may not use the telephone system to harass another by threats, obscenities, or repeated calls in which they fail to identify themselves. Examples of improper use of the telephone include the following: calling repeatedly and breathing or not speaking into the telephone receiver; describing sexual activity without identifying oneself; and anonymously subjecting the listener to obscene names. Harassment by telephone is a violation of state law and will subject the caller to criminal prosecution as well as corrective action through the University’s accountability process. Students who experience such calls should report the matter to a residential staff member, and/or, to the Vanderbilt University Police Department. Some harassment by telephone may be sexual harassment, as defined in Chapter 7, “Sexual Misconduct and Intimate Partner Violence,” and the policies and procedures outlined in that chapter should be followed.

Unauthorized use of the University telephone system with the intent to avoid payment of long distance charges is unlawful and may result in corrective action through University’s accountability process. Misuse includes the unauthorized acceptance of long distance collect calls, third party calls charged against the University, and use of a long distance authorization (V-Net) number not issued to the user.

The bodies that comprise the accountability system are the office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity, the Appellate Review Board, the Undergraduate Honor Council and the honor councils of the Graduate School and the professional schools. For matters specific to their areas, delegated to them by the Director of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity, authority may also be exercised by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, and Vanderbilt Student Communications, Incorporated. The nature of specific areas of authority is described in the constitutions or bylaws of each of these bodies.

In consultation with the Office of the General Counsel, the Dean of Students may assume jurisdiction for cases before the office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity or any of the several Honor Councils. The Dean of Students also appoints students to the Appellate Review Board (acting as the Chancellor’s designee), and—under special circumstances—to the Undergraduate Honor Council. Such circumstances include the Honor Council’s inability to convene a hearing panel of elected members (perhaps due to to disqualification of members to sit on a given panel due to excluding criteria as delineated in the constitution and by-laws of the Honor Council). Students appointed by the Dean of Students to the Honor Council serve only for the duration of the circumstances that effected their appointments. The Provost, or the Provost’s designee, appoints faculty members to serve as advisers to the Honor Council. The Chancellor, or the Chancellor’s designee, appoints faculty members to the Appellate Review Board.

Rights of students or student organizations suspected of misconduct are addressed through the following procedures, which are designed to provide a fair process and just findings. The basic elements of the process are as follows:

Written and timely notice of charges against students, including possible consequences.

Opportunity for students to present all relevant information at an accountability meeting, to challenge adverse testimony and information, to speak on their own behalf, to call witnesses, and to be accompanied by a Vanderbilt student, faculty, or staff adviser of their own choosing, to whom they are not related, and who has not had formal legal training (except in cases involving students in the Law School).

Findings reached on the basis of the information presented, proof to the panel or accountability staff for a finding of responsibility using a “preponderance-of-the-evidence,” or more likely than not standard, University regulations, and the character of the students.

Jurisdiction

All persons enrolled in or taking courses at the University, or participating in programs and activities of the University as students, even if not registered primarily at Vanderbilt, students on official leaves from the University (medical, personal, disciplinary, or otherwise), and student organizations fall under the jurisdiction of the accountability system. This includes those taking part-time courses of study; participants in summer programs; participants in programs of the English Language Center; transients during the summer or other sessions; and students cross-registered from a neighboring institution. Accountability proceedings for these students are the same as for full-time Vanderbilt students. A notification of the findings of an accountability meeting will be sent to the appropriate officer of the institution in which the students are primarily registered.

Accountability Procedures

The office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity has original jurisdiction in all cases of nonacademic misconduct involving undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Failure by a student to respond to notifications from the office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity may be considered a waiver of the right to appear, and an accountability meeting may be held in the student’s absence.

The procedures provided herein apply to both individuals and groups. A student facing potential corrective action, or an officer in the case of an organization, will be informed in writing of a charge at least three days before an accountability meeting is held. Either may waive the three-day waiting period and request to proceed immediately following the presentation of the charge. The charge notice will include the specific regulation or policy allegedly violated.

The student or officer (hereinafter “student”) may testify personally and present witnesses on his/her/their behalf. The student may examine all information that may form the basis for corrective action. The student may present one character witness as well.

Given the nature of the University’s accountability process, the testimony of, and information derived from experts, such as reports of handwriting experts, will not be considered, except in rare circumstances. In those rare cases, determinations as to the appropriateness of testimony of or information derived from an expert will be made in the sole discretion of the Director of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity. Under no circumstances, however, will the use of polygraph examinations be permitted.

The student facing potential corrective action may choose a Vanderbilt faculty, staff, or student adviser who is not related to the student, and who has not had formal legal training (except in cases concerning students in the Law School), to accompany him/her/them during the accountability meeting. The adviser may not address the staff member, but may consult with the student during the meeting. No person who has a substantial interest in the case, or in a related case as a student facing potential corrective action, or as an adviser to such a student, may serve as an adviser. Persons not convened or summoned (e.g., the student, the student’s adviser, witnesses), by the office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity, are prohibited from attending an accountability meeting, and from being present at interviews during the course of an investigation.

Persons conducting the accountability meeting, and considering statements against a student facing potential corrective action (for example, statements in the student’s file), must advise the student of the content of the statements and give the student an opportunity to rebut inferences that might be drawn. The student may present testimony and make arguments not only with regard to the alleged violation of policy but also with regard to justification, and mitigating circumstances. The student may also speak to the question of the appropriateness of any particular corrective action or sanction.

The findings will be based on information presented at the accountability meeting. Information acquired through unauthorized searches will not be considered. A search of a student, a student’s possessions, or a student’s on campus premises may be authorized by the Dean of Students or the Dean’s designee if there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of University policy is occurring or has occurred.

If the student is found responsible for misconduct, the finding will specify the acts of misconduct for which the student is responsible and the corrective action to be taken or the sanction to be imposed. The finding will be delivered to the student promptly and, at the time of its delivery, the student will be reminded of the opportunity to appeal and of the time limits and procedures involved in an appeal.

Accountability meetings may be recorded by the University. Recordings not authorized by the office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity, are prohibited. A written record of findings, corrective actions, and sanctions assessed must always be filed in cases resulting in corrective action. These elements become a part of the record and may be examined by the student in the case.

Investigations and accountability meetings are not publicized or open to the public. Accountability staff members must hold in confidence, the matters related to both the investigations and the meetings.

If a member of an accountability body has a conflict of interest, that member is ineligible to consider a case or to hear an appeal. Individuals with a conflict of interest must declare themselves ineligible. In addition, the specific body may, by a majority vote, declare any member ineligible due to a conflict of interest.

Students may be accountable to criminal and/or civil authorities as well as to the University for acts that constitute violations of law and of University policies and regulations. Students investigated for alleged violations of these policies and regulations are subject to University accountability proceedings delineated in this Handbook while criminal or civil proceedings regarding the same conduct are pending. Students in these circumstances may not challenge the University’s accountability process on the grounds that criminal charges or civil actions regarding the same incident are pending, may be initiated, or have been terminated, dismissed, reduced, or not yet adjudicated. When appropriate, the University may refer matters to federal, state, and local authorities for prosecution.

Appeals and the Appellate Review Board

The Appellate Review Board (the “Board”) is a University-wide body consisting of faculty and students appointed by the Chancellor (or the Chancellor’s designee) to review appeals from findings of administrative offices and bodies that have the authority to impose sanctions upon students in academic and co-curricular matters. The Appellate Review Board comprises two divisions: the Appellate Review Board for Academic Matters (for cases heard by Honor Councils), and the Appellate Review Board for Co-Curricular Matters (for cases heard offices and bodies that exercise accountability authority, with exceptions noted below). Information on the policies and procedures governing appeals in cases involving sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence may be found in Chapter 7, “Sexual Misconduct and Intimate Partner Violence.”

The Appellate Review Board may also, in consultation with the University Office of General Counsel, the Dean of Students, the office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity, and other appropriate University officials, review and propose updates of the procedures used by the persons and bodies whose findings are subject to appeal to ensure that students are treated fairly.

Appellate Review Board for Academic Matters

The Appellate Review Board for academic matters reviews appeals from decisions of bodies having the authority to impose penalties in academic matters.

Any Vanderbilt student, having been found guilty of a violation of the applicable honor code (the “Petitioner”), with resultant imposition of sanction by any of the following hearing bodies, may petition the Board for a review of the determination:

The Undergraduate Honor Council;

The honor council of any graduate or professional school

Appellate Review Board for Co-Curricular Matters

The Appellate Review Board for co-curricular matters reviews appeals from decisions of administrative offices and bodies having the authority to impose sanctions in co-curricular accountability matters. (Exceptions are noted, below.)

Any Vanderbilt student or organization, having been found responsible for a violation of University policy (the “Petitioner”), with resultant imposition of penalty by any of the administrative offices and hearing bodies, below, may petition the Board for a review of the determination.

The office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity;

Such other bodies and administrative offices not here enumerated but which do, in fact, exercise accountability authority, with the exception that appeals of decisions by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils are heard by the Dean of Students or the Dean’s designee

The Board is composed of members appointed by the Chancellor (or the Chancellor’s designee), as follows: a Chair for each division–The Appellate Review Board for Academic Matters, and the Appellate Review Board for Co-Curricular Matters–who are members of the tenured faculty and who each may act in the other’s absence, disability, refusal, or inability to serve; and thirty-eight general members appointed by the Chancellor (or the Chancellor’s designee), who serve on both academic and co-curricular cases and who are faculty members at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher, selected from among the schools as follows: four from the College of Arts and Science, two from the Blair School of Music, two from Peabody College of Education and Human Development, two from the School of Engineering, and one each from the remaining six schools of the University. Two full-time students from each of the ten schools of the University also serve. Both faculty and students are appointed for two-year terms, which should be staggered to the extent practical, to ensure continuity.

Petition for Appeal

A petition for appeal, signed by the petitioning student or appropriate officer of a petitioning organization, must be submitted in writing, to the Appellate Review Board either by hand delivery to 310 Sarratt, or by email attachment to appeals@vanderbilt.edu, by no later than 5pm on the tenth (10th) calendar day following the date that the student or organization is formally notified of the determination of the administrative officer or hearing body.

Requests for extensions must be submitted prior to the expiration of the ten-day period. The petition must include the follow: a statement of the grounds for appeal, supporting explanation, and copies of, or reference to, all evidence the Petitioner asks the Board to consider. Except as explicitly provided below, no documents or other evidence may be included with an appeal unless previously submitted to the original authority.

The grounds for appeal are as follows:

Procedural irregularities sufficient to affect the finding of the original authority.

Insufficient information to support the finding of the original authority.

New information that was not reasonably available for presentation to the original authority, the introduction of which could reasonably be expected to affect the finding of the original authority.

Harshness of the penalty/sanction imposed by the original authority sufficient to show an abuse of discretion by that authority.

Standards of Review

The standards for review used by the Board in considering the grounds for appeal are provided, below:

“Procedural irregularities sufficient to affect the finding of the original authority.” Original authorities are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with their policies and procedures. Deviation from those policies and procedures which render their actions fundamentally unfair constitutes a sufficient basis for an appeal to the Appellate Review Board. Procedural irregularities that are considered by the Board to be harmless and that did not, in the judgment of the Board, adversely affect the process, are not a basis for upsetting the determination of the original authority.

“Insufficient information to support the finding of the original authority.” It is not the role of the Appellate Review Board to substitute its judgment for the judgment of the original authority if there is a reasonable basis for that authority’s finding. Deference must be given to the judgment of the original authority, which had the opportunity to hear the witnesses and to assess their credibility and demeanor. The Board may not alter the finding of the original authority unless the determination of the original authority is clearly erroneous and cannot be reasonably supported by the information considered.

“New information that was not reasonably available for presentation to the original authority, the introduction of which would reasonably be expected to affect the finding of the original authority.” All available information, including testimony of witnesses, is expected to be presented to the original authority. Only on that basis can the authority reach fair and reasonable findings. A student or student organization that seeks to introduce new information has the burden of demonstrating that the information was not reasonably available for presentation to the original authority, and that the introduction of such new information can be reasonably expected to affect the finding of the original authority. If the Appellate Review Board determines that the student or student organization has satisfied this burden, the Board remands the case to the original authority with instructions to reconsider the case in light of the new information.

“Harshness of the penalty/sanction imposed by the original authority sufficient to show an abuse of discretion by that authority.” Again, deference should be given by the Board to the penalties, sanctions, etc., imposed by that authority. At the same time, the Board should recognize that an original authority can make errors in judgment sufficient to show an abuse of discretion. Abuse of discretion does not necessarily imply an intentional wrong or bad faith, but simply the failure to exercise reasonable judgment under the circumstances.

Consideration of Petition and Determination of Appeal

When the Chair of the appropriate Appellate Review Board (Academic or Co-Curricular) receives a petition, the Chair will instruct the original authority to notify all persons who were sent formal notification of the findings of the original authority that a petition for appeal has been filed and that penalties/sanctions of the original authority should not be implemented pending the result of the appeal, where applicable. A delay in implementation, however, does not preclude the University from taking interim actions to ensure the safety and security of the campus community.

Upon receipt of the petition, the Chair will also request from the original authority the entire record of the case, including, for example, test papers or other documentary information, summaries of witness testimony, and audio or video recordings of the proceedings. The Chair will then proceed to review the petition (including all supporting information provided by the petitioner), and the record, with all deliberate speed to determine whether the petition, when considered in the light most favorable to the petitioner, sets forth a basis sufficient to provide the relief sought by the petitioner. If the Chair determines that the petition does not set forth a basis sufficient to provide the relief, the Chair dismisses the petition (or such parts of the petition that the Chair has determined do not set forth a basis sufficient to provide relief). The Chair’s decision is final.

If the Chair determines that the petition (or parts of it) does set forth a basis sufficient to provide the relief, the Chair forwards a copy of the petition to the original authority with instructions to respond to it (or such parts of the petition that the Chair has determined set forth a basis sufficient to provide relief). The original authority provides its response to the Chair within ten (10) calendar days of receiving the Chair’s notification that the Board will hear the petition. Upon receiving the response from the original authority, the Chair sends the response to the petitioner offering the petitioner an opportunity to reply. Replies must be submitted within five (5) calendar days. The Chair forwards a copy of this response to the chair of the original authority for informational purposes.

From among the membership of the Board, the Chair selects three (3) faculty members and three (3) student members to serve on a panel (the “appeals panel”) to consider the petition. In the case of an appeal by an undergraduate student or undergraduate student organization, at least one student member of the panel will be an undergraduate student. In the case of an appeal by a graduate or professional student or a graduate or professional student organization, at least one student member of the panel will be a graduate or professional student from the school in which the petitioner is enrolled (in the case of a student), or with which the group is affiliated (in the case of an organization).

The Chair makes available to members of the appeals panel a copy of the petition and all supporting documents submitted by the petitioner. The panel’s consideration of the appeal must be based only on the records created by or provided to the original authority, the petition, any new information the Board determines should be considered, and all responses to the petition, and will be conducted in accordance with the standards of review outlined above.

After reviewing the record, the appeals panel, by majority vote, decides whether to affirm, modify, or reverse the finding of the original authority or to remand the case to the original authority with instructions. In cases where there has been a procedural error on the part of the original authority or the appeals panel deems that new information should be considered, the panel remands the case to the original authority with instructions. The panel's decision is final.

Only in extraordinary circumstances would the Appellate Review Board ever reconsider an entire case de novo. In the event of reconsideration, standards of procedure are, in substance, those for original hearings and accountability meetings, but the Board may provide additional procedural rules, if necessary.

The Chair notifies in writing the petitioner and the original authority (which, in turn, notifies all persons who were sent formal notification of the original finding, where applicable) of the Board’s decision and the reasons for its decision.

While a case is pending, policy changes that might affect a case cannot be considered in the appeal.

At no time may the Chair or the Board substitute its own opinions or values for University policy.

No member of the Board may participate on an appeals panel if the member has a conflict of interest that might render the member’s objectivity questionable. Each member of the Board is responsible for determining whether a conflict of interest exists and may consult the Office of the General Counsel, if necessary. However, a member may be disqualified upon a motion by a member of the Board and by subsequent affirmative vote by a majority of the appeals panel. If a member of the appeals panel is disqualified, the Chair selects an alternate. If neither student from the petitioner’s school may serve on an appeals panel due to conflicts of interest, the Chair, of necessity, will appoint students from other schools.

Once a final determination has been made, all records of the original authority are returned to that authority.

Sanctions

Vanderbilt’s system of graduated sanctions and structured accountability action plans, is designed to educate and effect reflection on the part of students and their organizations, as well as to effect students’ and student organizations’ voluntary compliance with the policies and regulations established to protect themselves, other students, and the community. Vanderbilt hopes that educational conferences, deferred probationary periods, and probationary periods will be sufficient to help students and their organizations make better choices so that separation from the community never becomes necessary.

Given the educational nature of University accountability proceedings, several factors are considered when determining sanctions and the components of an accountability action plan. In addition to a student’s or a student organization’s previous record, the circumstances surrounding the violation or infraction--such as the nature and severity of the event, the impact on others--may also be considered. Finally, a student’s or a student organization’s level of cooperation and honesty throughout the accountability process may inform the appropriate response to a policy violation.

The following is a list of common sanctions:

Educational Conference: Such conferences involve a structured discussion between the student and the office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity, about the violation, individual accountability, the impact on the community, and improved decision-making. An educational conference is an educational sanction, and is not reported to agencies outside the University, unless to confirm information provided by the student.

Deferred disciplinary probation. In some instances, a probationary status, as described below, may be deferred and will be implemented only if the student fails to complete all the components of an accountability action plan by the required deadlines or is found responsible for another violation during the period of deferral. If the components of the accountability action plan are completed in a timely manner and there is not another violation during the period of deferral, the deferred probation is considered an educational sanction and is not reported to agencies outside the University, unless to confirm information provided by the student.

Disciplinary probation. Places a student in a probationary status that takes away the privilege of holding certain offices or leadership positions in student organizations, and may also include social or other restrictions on participation in organizations, programs, activities, and events. Probations are entered upon the student’s permanent disciplinary record (which is maintained in accordance with the document retention policy delineated below), and are reported to agencies beyond the University, as needed. Probation may, but does not always, restrict a student’s activities on campus. Violation of probation may lead to further restrictions or suspension.

Suspension. Separation from the University for a specified or indefinite period of time. Suspensions are entered upon the student’s permanent disciplinary record (which is maintained in accordance with the document retention policy delineated, below), and are reported to agencies outside the University, as needed. A notation is placed on the student’s academic record for the period of the suspension. Suspension, pending an investigation and/or accountability meeting, may be imposed when there is reason to believe the action is necessary to maintain University functions or to protect the safety of individuals. Conditions may be placed upon a student’s return to campus.

Expulsion. Permanent separation from the University. Expulsions are entered upon the student’s permanent disciplinary record (which is maintained in accordance with the document retention policy delineated, below), and are reported to agencies outside the University, as needed. A permanent notation is placed on the student’s transcript.

The following, although not exhaustive, is a list of common components of accountability action plans:

Restriction. Loss of privileges that are consistent with the violation and the rehabilitation of the student. This may include directives to refrain from entry to certain areas of campus or contact with particular individuals, or the loss of campus parking and driving privileges

Restitution. Repair or replacement of lost or damaged property or compensation for other costs arising from a violation.

Fines/fees. Fees or fines to cover the expense of educational or work service programs may also be imposed.

Letters of apology. Letters of apology may be used when a violation has a specific impact on another member of the University community or larger Nashville community.

Online tutorials. Completion of online tutorials designed to educate the student on a particular topic that is relevant to the violation and/or designed to improve the student’s decision-making may be required.

Research or reflection essays. Completion of research or reflection essays designed to educate the student on a particular topic that is relevant to the violation, or that requires the student to reflect on the violation and its consequences, may be required.

Work service. Work service may be assigned when a violation involves damage to property or the making of an unusual mess, and may include picking up litter from campus lawns, cleaning lobbies, restrooms, and stairwells of campus residences, etc.

Counseling, evaluation, and treatment programs. In some cases of misconduct, such as those committed under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, participation in an assessment, evaluation and/or treatment program by an approved counseling service may be required as a part of a corrective action plan or sanction. Such treatment may also be a condition of readmission to the University or a condition for remaining in the University.

In all cases, accountability bodies have authority to establish various sanctions and accountability action plans appropriate to violations or infractions. Routine sanctions and accountability action plans may be established for certain infractions and may also be appealed to the appropriate body according to prescribed appeal procedures. Sanctions and accountability action plans may also be applied in combination. For example, a student may be suspended for one term and reenroll subject to restrictions (as in probation) for the next term. A student’s previous record may be considered when a sanction or accountability action plan is imposed. When sanctions and/or accountability action plans are indicated for a student organization, the group’s prior record may be considered in determining the appropriate sanction or plan.

Aggravated Offenses—Bias-Related Offenses

Sanctions for violations of University policies may be increased by one level of severity when it is determined that the violation was motivated fully or in part by discrimination toward the victim because of the victim’s–or the violator’s perception of the victim’s–race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Notification

If a student admits to being, or is found to be, in violation of University policy, the findings of the case, including any sanction, may be made known to appropriate persons, including, but not limited to, the complainant (only where applicable and as required by law), the appropriate academic dean, the faculty adviser, appropriate staff members, and/or the responsible student’s parents or guardian.

Upon completion of cases involving a sanction, the appropriate University official will take action to implement the decision of the accountability body, and the dean of the school in which the student is enrolled will be notified if the finding will affect the student’s academic status. However, action is normally not taken until the accountability process, including an appeal, if any, is completed.

Sanctions effective for an indefinite period are rarely imposed, but on occasions when they are, the accountability body imposing the sanction will consult appropriate University administrators to recommend the conditions that must be met to bring the sanction period to a close.

Withdrawal Before a Hearing

If a student who has been reported for an alleged violation of University policy withdraws from the University before accountability proceedings have been concluded, a notice will be sent to the student stating that he/she/they is alleged to have violated University policy, that an investigation has been or will be conducted, and that an accountability proceeding may be held.

The student may respond in one of three ways: return to the campus for the accountability proceedings, waive the right to give testimony personally, thereby acknowledging that proceedings may go forward in his/her/their absence, or waive the right to appear and send a written, signed statement to be presented on his/her/their behalf at the proceedings. Failure by the student to respond will be considered a waiver of the right to appear.

During the time prior to the proceedings, a notation will be placed on the student’s academic record, stating that accountability proceedings are pending. A letter will also be sent to the University registrar and to the registrar of the school in which the student was enrolled indicating that such proceedings are pending. If the student attempts to re-enroll before the matter is resolved, the registrar will notify the Dean of Students (or the Dean’s designee). The matter must be resolved before the student may re-enroll.

Withdrawal and Readmission

Students may leave the University involuntarily for academic failure, failure to meet financial obligations to the University, or circumstances outside the University’s jurisdiction. Withdrawal from the University under these circumstances does not constitute disciplinary sanction; therefore, re-enrollment after such withdrawal is handled through normal administrative processes. Students who voluntarily–or involuntarily–withdraw from the University for medical or mental/emotional health reasons must be cleared by the appropriate University officers before being permitted to re-enroll.

Disciplinary Records

Upon graduation or withdrawal from the University, student records in the office of Housing and Residential Education and the office of Student Accountability, Community Standards, and Academic Integrity are maintained for a period of seven years, after which time they are destroyed. Records of students who are suspended or expelled from the University will be maintained indefinitely.

Student records will not be released outside the University absent a written release from the student or unless otherwise required by law, in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, students should be aware that they may be required to sign a waiver when applying to graduate or professional schools or in the course of any employment or governmental background check.